Chapter 2804: Cultivation

“Ah?! What did you say?”

Kotal was startled and immediately looked at Fang Heng, his eyes filled with disbelief.

“The soulstone. It’s something my research institute recently cultivated. Right now, the level is still quite low, so it’s almost identical to a normal soulstone in effect.”

Fang Heng said as he pulled a cultivated soulstone from his backpack and tossed it toward Kotal, “The production is still limited, but it’ll increase soon. I’ll arrange for a shipment of Soulstones to be sent over to make sure the Dark Clan’s combat strength isn’t affected due to the shortage.”

Kotal was stunned.

This was such a coincidence?

He stared at Fang Heng in a daze, feeling a flicker of doubt in his heart. Could it be? Was Fang Heng sent by the Underworld Lord to save the Dark Clan?

Fang Heng noticed Kotal’s dazed expression and laughed heartily, patting Kotal on the shoulder. “Haha, this is all thanks to you! If you hadn’t been helping me with the material transport under so much pressure, we wouldn’t have been able to cultivate the soulstones so quickly. You’re truly the savior of the Dark Clan.”

“Don’t worry. Even though the soulstone production is still low, I’ll prioritize supplying them to your people.”

Kotal was deeply grateful and immediately nodded, “Thank you, Mr. Fang Heng.”

[Hint: The player has gained Kotal’s favorability rating. Kotal’s clan favorability rating has reached the required value.]

[Hint: The player has gained the Dark Clan’s favorability rating.]

[Hint: The player’s current mission-Underworld Lord’s Advancement. Mission requirements: Dark Clan recognition must reach 0.4%.]

Hmm?

This was the first time a hint had appeared!

The Dark Clan’s recognition of outsiders was low. Even though Fang Heng had done quite a bit for them, the recognition was still only 0.4%.

Fang Heng observed the game hint and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

The Underworld Lord’s advancement mission was divided into three main parts.

One of them, finding the Death Realm Orb, had already been completed.

The remaining two were gaining the Dark Clan’s recognition and unifying the Death Realm.

“Perhaps I can take advantage of this opportunity to complete the recognition of the Dark Clan…”

…

The Dark Clan.

The high-ranking leaders of the Four Great Empires gathered for a critical meeting.

Since the outbreak of the Disaster, this had already been the ninth gathering of the high-level officials from the Four Great Empires.

The crisis, however, wasn’t caused by the Disaster, but by internal issues.

“The situation is dire. It is suspected that the rapid depletion of the soulstones is linked to the reduction in the aura of the death realm. Currently, only the Marbi Cavern region can gather the death aura due to its terrain. Inside the cavern, there are still some soul crystals being produced, but their production rate is dropping significantly. We must come up with a solution quickly.”

A heavy gloom hung over the meeting.

A solution?

If it were that easy, they wouldn’t all be here waiting idly.

Originally, the Disaster’s strength had decreased, and with the addition of Fang Heng’s Bone Dragon army and humans, the Dark Clan had begun to stabilize their frontlines and even started planning a counterattack.

But no one had anticipated that the soulstone issue would arise first.

“Let’s take it step by step. My suggestion is to prioritize the supply of soul crystals from the Holy Realm to the frontlines.”

The lack of soul crystals had greatly weakened the combat strength of the Dark Clan on the frontlines, making it increasingly difficult to resist the Disaster.

As the Disaster spread, the Dark Clan’s territory was shrinking, and it was becoming clear that they were facing a deadlock.

What was originally estimated to hold off the Disaster for at least three months had already begun to collapse within less than a month.

“And what about the other tribes? Are we just going to let them perish?”

The limited resources were nowhere near enough to satisfy the needs of all the remaining Four Great Empires. Tension filled the council hall, and an atmosphere of open conflict began to arise.

The ruler of the Gab Empire, the only one with any soulstone production remaining, had become the center of attention. All the empires brought forward their offers, hoping to exchange materials for the precious soul crystals. The voices of disagreement grew louder by the minute.

The ruler of the Gab Empire, however, had no intention of raising his price.

After all, with a great enemy at hand, any success or failure would affect them all.

Suddenly, a guard rushed in and whispered something in the ear of Renee, the acting ruler of the Vanni Empire.

After listening, Renee’s expression shifted slightly, “Is it true?”

“It has been confirmed.”

Renee suddenly stood up and nodded, “Everyone, I have urgent matters to attend to. I’ll leave for now.”

Huh?

What was going on?

The remaining high-ranking leaders of the empires exchanged confused glances.

Just moments ago, they were heatedly discussing how to secure more shares of the soulstones. Now, suddenly, she was leaving? Had she given up her share?

The others were puzzled, and just then, a guard hurried to Clayton Empire’s king and whispered a few words in his ear.

The King of Clayton Empire’s expression also shifted several times.

“Everyone, I have some urgent matters as well. I’ll take my leave.”

The remaining two emperors and their ministers exchanged glances, both looking bewildered.

What was going on?

They had just been engaged in a heated bidding for more soulstone shares.

Why had they suddenly disappeared?

The two remaining emperors exchanged glances, both sensing that something was amiss.

“Hahaha, I just remembered that the Empire has some matters to deal with as well. Since the other two emperors are no longer here, let’s call it a day. We’ll continue the discussion once everyone is present.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea.”

The King of the Gab Empire nodded.

Though he knew something was off, he thought to himself that as long as they had soul crystals in hand and the mines were still under their control, nothing would go wrong.

Eventually, all the other emperors and their ministers left.

Half an hour later, a guard hurried back to report, his head lowered, “Your Majesty, there is news that all the empire rulers are heading toward the Black Stone Mountain Range.”

“What?”

The Black Stone Mountain Range? What was going on there?

Hadn’t the Kotal tribe been helping humans deliver materials there recently?

The king of Gab Empire felt a bit displeased at the thought.

However, considering that humans had indeed helped them in the battle against the Disaster, he decided to turn a blind eye.

The guard continued, “We’ve learned that humans have discovered the method to create soul crystals in the New World. The first batch of soul crystals is about to be delivered from the New World.”

“What!? The New World? What’s that?”

At this moment, a priest from one of the empires stepped forward and explained tactfully, “The concept of ‘New World’ was recently proposed by humans. Given that the war with the Disaster could potentially destroy the Death Realm entirely, humans have been transporting materials from the Death Realm to a new world, attempting to replicate and build a new Death Realm.”

The guard added, “Yes, the rumors say that humans have successfully cultivated soul crystals in the New World.”

The king of Gab Empire froze.

This was unbelievable.

He had heard similar reports before but had brushed them off as nonsense.

To create a new Death Realm?

By simply moving a few Death Realm stones over?

That was absurd!

But now, their Death Realm’s soul crystals were depleting, and the New World had managed to cultivate them?

It was all upside down!

“Let’s go! Take people with us and see for ourselves!”

The king of Gab Empire was furious. His subordinates had failed to notify him sooner, and now they were the last to hear the news.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com